Calendar
Lunar New Year
In 2025, the Lunar New Year falls on January 29th, and it is celebrated by several East and Southeast Asian cultures, including China and Vietnam. For the Chinese community, this marks the beginning of the Year of the Snake, with celebrations traditionally lasting from Chinese New Year's Eve on January 28th to the Lantern Festival on February 12th.
In Vietnam, the celebration of Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) also starts on January 29th, and it is a major event where people honor traditions such as decorating with peach flowers and kumquat trees, and preparing traditional foods like Banh Chung and sticky rice dishes.
New Moon Gathering
Join us for a sacred gathering to mark the New Moon. We draw inspiration from the ancient Mithraic Mysteries and the vigils of the early Church for this in-person event. Expect light refreshments, good company, a short reading, and highly amateur astronomy. Come bundled up and appreciate the night sky. Contact us for details on Facebook.
Mammoth Valley's Starting Sourdough Workshop
The unaffiliated but appreciated Mammoth Valley is holding a Starting Sourdough Farm-to-Table event. See the Facebook announcement for details and date changes. If you’re not local or are unenthused by carbohydrates, this small family farm sells and ships bulk beef purchases and individual USDA cuts. (But if you like sourdough , check out Father of the Faith Trina’s sourdough for Lammas video!)
Coptic Holy Great Fast
Coptics abstain from all animal products, with the occasional exception of fish. The Holy Great Fast lasts for 55 days and demands one small meal a day, though some adherents practice total daytime fasting. This fasting accompanies intense prayer and religious study with an emphasis on repentance, humility, and spiritual renewal.
Community Campfire Gathering
Three days and two nights of fellowship and fresh air (rescheduled from October 2024). This is a sober, family-friendly camping event with organized hikes and activities, community meals, some light discipleship, and s’mores. If camping’s not for you, day visitors are welcome.
Spring Equinox
Celebrate the vernal equinox by cleaning out your home, clearing your mind, letting things go, and burning the evidence.
Introduction to Non-Timber Forest Products
The Hungry Forager (who is much loved by but unaffiliated with this church) is holding an introductory workshop to non-timber forest products, in Shelbyville, Ky.
From the Hungry Forager website—
Join George Barnett for an in-depth class on the exciting possibilities within the world of non-timber forest products. This event will provide eye opening opportunities to people who own or lease land and who are interested in using land to produce an income while doing so in a regenerative and productive way. This class is limited to 20 individuals. Hickory brew will be provided during the event.
Main topics from this program:-An overview of NTFP's in the past, present, and future-Tree syrups (management and economics)-Fruit and nut crops (management and economics)-Mushroom cultivation (growing methods and materials)-Medicinal plants (growing and economics)-Land management discussion and assessment (health, habitat, and terrain)-Applying NTFP to your landscape-Non-timber forest product book recommendations
Tickets are available here.
Introduction to Tree Identification
The Hungry Forager (who is much loved by but unaffiliated with this church) is holding a tree identification workshop in Louisville, Ky.
From The Hungry Forager website—
Join George Barnett for a walk discussing trees that are both native and non-native to Kentucky. Some of the trees he will discuss during the class are oak, mulberry, tulip tree, sycamore, maple, ash, hickory, black walnut, persimmon, black cherry, hackberry, and eastern white pine. During this class, you will be in a forested setting walking a distance of approximately 1.5 miles. This class is limited to 25 individuals.
Main topics from this program:
-Tree identification basics
-Identifying trees on the landscape (in their present season)
-Identifying tree habitats
-An introduction to Latin binomials
-Tree quizzes (towards end of class)
-Tree identification book recommendations
Tickets are available here.
Spring Foraging Workshop
The Hungry Forager is hosting a Spring Foraging Workshop, location TBD.
“Little Hickories”
Kentucky’s Hungry Forager is hosting a youth workshop for spring foraging, location TBD. (Best for ages 3-14.)
Peach Harvest Begins
In Kentucky, the peach harvest runs from mid-June through August. Learn more about growing peaches in Kentucky with this guide from UK’s College of Agriculture.
Food Independence Summit
Food Independence Summit organizers state, “Our overall intent is that those who are new to the ‘food independence’ concept will get the encouragement and tools to take “one more step” toward discovering the freedom that comes with homegrown and local food.”
We want that! Tickets are at their website.
Observing Nature Workshop
The Hungry Forager is hosting a workshop on how to observe, interpret, and record natural phenomena as it takes place. Location TBD
Ashura
Sunni and Shia Muslims both observe Ashura, but in different ways and for different reasons. For Sunnis, Ashura commemorates God’s delivery of the Israelites from slavery. They celebrate Ashura as something akin to a feast day, but fast to be forgiven for their sins the past year. For Shia Muslims, members of the smaller branch of Islam, it is a day of mourning for the prophet Muhammad’s grandson, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala.
July's full moon
The Buck Moon anticipates the buck deer’s antlers, which by now are nearly as full as they will grow for the year.
Three kinds of deer might have lived in biblical Israel, among them the Persian fallow deer. The whitetail deer in Kentucky are slightly larger but the species’ respective lives follow the same seasonal rhythm. Observing wildlife in their yearly progression enjoins us to Jesus’ contemporaries, and to people living much, much before— both in the Middle East and the Americas.
Paulownia trees produce seeds
This Japanese micro-season runs from July 23rd through the 28th. The Ohio River valley shouldn’t have many Paulownia trees but we can take this as an opportunity to consider the importance of native plants as keepers of time and indicators of change. For example, the EPA keeps a record of leaf and bloom dates for two widespread plant species as an indicator of climate change.
Earth is damp, air is humid
The Japanese micro-season “Earth is damp, air is humid” runs from July 29th to August second. (These descriptions reflect the climate in Japan rather than Kentucky.)
Feast of the Holy Seven Maccabees
On August 1, Roman and Orthodox Catholics commemorate the martyrdom of a Jewish woman and her seven young sons. They were preceded in martyrdom by the scholar and community elder Eleazar, who similarly refused to violate Jewish law.
Greek Orthodox are to fast from animal products, oil, and wine today.
Bread for Lammas
This cross quarter day marks the midpoint between the summer solstice and the fall equinox. Some will know it as Lammas, a corruption of “Loaf Mass,” held this time of year to celebrate the first fruits of the wheat harvest. Harvest times vary across the United States but this date is representative and a good time to bake bread and share it with loved ones. Watch Father of the Faith Trina harvest wild yeast from juniper berries, the way the ancestors did it.
Tisha B'Av
This ninth day of Av is the darkest of the Jewish year, as it commemorates a catalog of calamities and atrocities that happened around this time. To remember, and grieve, Jews mourn for three weeks leading up to Tisha B’Av during which they practice austerity and might decline to listen to music or cut their hair. On the day of Tisha B’Av, Jewish observants will eat a spare, lonely meal before beginning their fast at sundown. In the evening they might gather in the synagogue to read the Book of Lamentations.
Apple Feast of the Savior
Eastern Orthodox in Ukraine and Russia celebrate the apple harvest, today and on the 19th, respectively. In Kentucky, apple-picking season begins in late September and runs through October.
Join an ancient tradition by planning your apple-themed outing, to enjoy later in the year. Painstville, Kentucky holds their annual Apple Festival the first week of October. Louisville has more than one orchard nearby, including Mulberry Orchard and Hidden Hollow Orchard. Another option is Reed Valley Orchard in Paris, Ky.
Feast of the Transfiguration
Roman and Orthodox Catholics observe the Feast of the Transfiguration on August 6th. This major feast celebrates Jesus’s transfiguration, whereby during his earthly work Jesus revealed his divine nature to his apostles Peter, James, and John.
Tradition places this miracle on Mt. Tabor, so consider reading something transcendental about mountains or do a hike with some elevation gain.
Tu B'Av
Tu B’Av, i.e. the 15th of Av, dates back to the Temple Period, about 1,000 BCE. It is a minor but very happy, even amorous holiday that coincides with the beginning of the grape harvest. Unmarried young women would dress in white and dance in the vineyards to invite attention, maybe even trading their garments with one another to prevent the men from knowing who could and couldn’t afford the more expensive ones.
This holiday is always on a full moon, appropriately. Keep an eye out for the people saying Coptic Vespers while you’re dancing around a vineyard at midnight in somebody else’s clothes.
August's full moon
August’s full moon coincides with the corn harvest or, some areas, its ripening. By the same conventions, it precedes the Chestnut Moon in some naming systems.
Arba’een
Arba’een or Arba’in Chehlum is a Shia religious observance forty days after Ashura, the date of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Imam Hussain was martytred in the Battle of Karbala. Arba’een closes Imam Hussain’s customary mourning period and occasions pilgrimages from Najaf to Karbala, a distance of almost 50 miles.
Krishna Janmashtami
This annual Hindu festival celebrates the birth of Krishna, the Supreme God and eighth avatar of Vishnu. Abrahamic religions lack this concept but avatar translates to an iterative manifestation with the implication of a descent or crossing over.
Observances vary widely but might begin with fasting and a vigil the night before to reenact the night watch into which Krishna was born. Subsequent festivities include the welcoming of a “baby Krishna” in the form of a figurine, celebratory meals, reenactments of episodes from Krishna’s mythology, parades, and community gatherings with towering human pyramids.
Coptic Transfiguration Feast
This feast is always observed on the 19th of August, during the Coptic month Misra or Misore, and celebrates Jesus’s transfiguration on Mt. Tabor to three of his apostles.
Introduction to Tree Identification
The Hungry Forager (a much appreciated but unaffiliated figure) is teaching Introduction to Tree Identification. Join him for a walk and learn about both native and non-native trees in Kentucky. Location TBD.
September's full moon
September’s full moon arrives during tree crop season. Look for chestnuts, acorns, and paw paws (or consider learning how in a foraging workshop in Louisville).
Deer hunting begins
Kentucky’s deer season begins around now, though the exact date will depend on your demographic, weapon, location, and the state guidance for harvesting. Wear blaze orange when tramping around out there, and keep your dogs close for their safety and out of respect for hunters.
Learn about deer’s habits and how they are hunted to better protect yourself during this season and to better appreciate this ancient and still-necessary skillset.
Introduction to KY Tree Crops
The Hungry Forager is teaching an Introduction to KY Tree Crops. Join him for a walk through the woods to learn about tree crops that are native to Kentucky. Location TBD, details are on his website.
Honey Festival
In Kentucky, the year’s first honey is harvested in July and then sometimes again in mid-September but dates vary by region. For example, in Ukraine the honey harvest is celebrated on August 1st. Kentucky celebrates with a Honey Festival in late September.
Fall Equinox
An equinox is an astronomical event in which the plane of Earth's equator passes directly through the center of the Sun. This happens twice a year, around March 20th and September 23rd. This equinox marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah marks the new year of the Jewish calendar, a lunisolar calendar like the Gregorian calendar. Discrepancies between the two will cause this holiday to “move around” on the secular calendar between September 5 and October 5.
Celebratory meals include apples and honey, a tradition only recently established relative to the depth of Jewish history. In Kentucky these crops are harvested around the time of Rosh Hashanah. If you’ve followed along with this calendar, you might have celebrated a belated Apple Feast of the Savior or gone to the Honey Festival in late September.
Michaelmas
Michaelmas, celebrated on September 29th, is a Christian feast day dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, along with the archangels Gabriel and Raphael. It marks the beginning of autumn and has long been associated with the harvest, symbolizing the end of summer's abundance. Traditionally, it was a time of gathering harvests, settling debts, and preparing for the coming winter. The day is also known for its customs, such as eating goose (known as a "Michaelmas goose") and baking special dishes like bannock. Michaelmas serves as a reminder of the strength and protection of St. Michael, who is often invoked as a guardian against evil.
Feast of St. Demetrios, a Saturday of Souls (OC)
The feast of St. Demetrius, celebrated on October 26th, is a significant event in the Orthodox Christian tradition, commemorating St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki, a martyr and military saint. In connection with this feast, the "Saturday of Souls" (also known as "Psychosabbaton") is observed on the Saturday before or after the feast, dedicated to prayer for the departed. The faithful gather in churches to offer prayers and commemorate the souls of their loved ones, emphasizing the importance of remembrance, community, and the hope of resurrection in the Christian faith. This tradition underscores the unity of the Church, both living and departed, in Christ.
Feast Day of St. Jude (RC)
The feast day of St. Jude is celebrated on October 28th and honors St. Jude Thaddeus, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. He is known as the patron saint of lost or desperate causes, and people often turn to him in times of great difficulty or seemingly impossible situations. On this day, many faithful participate in prayers, Mass, and novenas dedicated to St. Jude, seeking his intercession and guidance. His feast is a reminder of hope and perseverance, and it encourages the faithful to trust that we are worthy of grace no matter the circumstances.
Cross Quarter Day
This cross quarter day marks the midpoint between the fall equinox and the winter solstice in December. It is traditionally observed on October 31st, a week before the astronomical cross-quarter, and heralds the darker part of the year.
Across Western Christianity, this transition into darkness inspires remembrance of, or communion with, the dead. Eastern Orthodox and Coptic Catholics follow other calculations for their equivalent solemnities, suggesting regional folk practices (including those of the Slavs and Celts) influenced Roman Catholicism as it progressed northward from Rome.
Synaxis of the Archangels
The Synaxis of the Archangels honors the angels in heaven, especially the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. It is also known as the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers.
Advent Fast
Join us in preparing for Christmas with a contemplative but joyful Advent Fast. Starting today and in communion with others, we will follow guidelines set for ourselves on Wednesdays and Fridays until St. Lucy’s Day on the 13th. At that time, participants will have the option to intensify their respective practices as it advances their well being. This fast continues through the night of the 23rd and should end, or be subject to modification after personal reflection, on January 1st. Throughout and after, we will celebrate both the work and its closure with all due ceremony and fanfare.
St. Lucy's Day
St. Lucy's Day is a Christian feast day observed on December 13th. It commemorates Lucia of Syracuse, an early-fourth-century virgin martyr.
The day is particularly celebrated in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway, and Finland. It's known as a festival of light, with processions of young girls dressed in white and wearing candle-lit wreaths on their heads.
Coptic Epiphany
Coptics celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit by blessing water and bathing in the Nile. Celebrate by finding or visiting a body of water, or by taking a ritual bath on your own terms.
Old New Year and Vasilopita
The Julian calendar gives us a second chance to make the Greek New-Year’s cake Vasilopita.
January's full moon
In the Ohio River Valley, January’s full moon might be called the Severe Moon, Winter’s Younger Brother, or the Cold Moon
Observing Nature: The Art and Practice
The Hungry Forager (who is much loved by but unaffiliated with this church) is holding a workshop on observing nature, exact location TBD.
From the Hungry Forager website—
Start off the new year by joining George Barnett for a walk while he demonstrates how to closely observe, interpret, and record the natural phenomena taking place. During this class, you will be in a forested setting walking a distance of approximately 1.5 miles. This class is limited to 20 individuals. Coffee will be provided at the beginning of this event.
Main topics from this program:
-Slowing down in nature: A how to
-Introduction to "interpreting a landscape"
-Recording phenology (the practice and utility)
-Tree, plant, and ecological trivia (towards end of event)
-Nature observation related book recommendations
Tickets are available here.
CryptoNaturalist reads from Something in the Woods Loves You
Unaffiliated but much appreciated author CryptoNaturalist, aka Jarod K. Anderson, reads from his book Something in the Woods Loves You at The Book Loft of German Village in Columbus, Ohio.
About the book—
Something in the Woods Loves You tells the story of the darkest stretch of a young person’s life, and how deliberate and meditative encounters with plants and animals helped him see the light at every turn. Ranging from optimistic contemplations of mortality to appreciations of a single mushroom, Anderson has written a lyrical love letter to the natural world and given us the tools to see it all anew.
Coptic Christmas
The Coptic Church uses the Alexandrian calendar for its liturgical timekeeping, and for this reason it celebrates its feasts about a week after the Roman Catholic Church. Coptic Christians prepare for the Nativity with a 43-day fast from animal products with the exception of seafood. This fast might be broken with a celebratory meal after a vigil the night before.
Theophany, aka Epiphany
The Theophany of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ commemorates the visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus, and the wedding at Cana.
Clifty Falls SP Winter Weekend Getaway
Join us at the Clifty Inn for our Winter Weekend Getaway, Jan. 3-5, 2025. Enjoy a native seed sowing workshop, taste teas made from native plants, stargaze, meet live birds of prey, discover aquatic mammals, and more. Registration is required for this event by calling the Nature Center at 812-273-0609 before Dec. 30. The event is $25/person, including all supplies needed.
To pay your registration fee, please write a check payable to The Friends of Clifty Falls State Park and mail it to Attn: Kayla Wilson 1501 Green Rd. Madison, IN 47250. Lodging is available at the Inn for a discounted rate if you reserve before Dec. 3. Call 877-563-4371 and use Group Code 0103WW. To see what other programs we have coming up visit on.IN.gov/cliftyfalls.
Clifty Falls SP First Day Hike
On Jan. 1 at 10 a.m. meet at Clifty Shelter for a 1 ½ hour moderately rugged hike along Trails 6 and 7. These trails meander along the east side of Clifty Creek and provide scenic views of Big Clifty Falls, Little Clifty Falls, Cake Rock, Lookout Point, and Clifty Canyon. Refreshments will be provided after the hike. Please dress appropriately for the weather. If there is snow or ice, you will want to bring trekking poles and wear crampons on your shoes. Discover other ways to improve your health in Indiana State Parks by visiting dnr.IN.gov/healthy.
Black Moon
2024 ends on a Black Moon, a second New Moon in a calendar month. Read about March 2022’s Black Moon in the linked essay written by one of our founders. In March 2025 we will celebrate its full Worm Moon on the 14th with a Camp Meet at Mammoth Cave.
Stonelick Park Star Gaze
On Saturdays, near the New Moon, members of our Friends of the Observatory (FOTO) amateur astronomers group set up a variety of telescopes inviting the public to view the wonders of the night sky. This is a great opportunity to view planets, galaxies, nebulae, star clusters and stars. It is also a good chance to see many different types of telescopes in action, ask questions and become involved in the fascinating world of astronomy.
The events are free and open to the public. No reservations or telescope required.
Friends of the Observatory members and the other amateur astronomers at Stonelick are more than willing to have you look through their telescopes as well as help you with your personal telescope.
Free stargazes at Stonelick State Park are held only if the skies are clear. Updates are posted on the Stonelick Star Gazers Facebook Page The general rule is, if you can't see stars in your sky, it is canceled, but if you can see stars on Stonelick nights, then it is on!
Clifty Falls SP Christmas Bird Count
Join members of the Indiana Audubon Society on their annual Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 28 at 8 a.m. at the Clifty Inn.
December's Full Moon
In the Ohio River Valley, December’s full moon could be called Big Winter Moon, Snow Moon, or Eccentric Moon.
Basic Life Support Certification
The 2021 Basic Life Support (BLS) course provides healthcare providers and public safety professionals the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies in adult child and infant patients.
Class ID: a653o000001JMlK
$92
This class is taught in a blended learning format and the online portion (accessed via mobile desktop or tablet) must be completed prior to attending the instructor-led skills session. Upon successful completion of the course learners will receive a 2-year Basic Life Support digital certificate with anytime anywhere access to certificate and training history.In support of improving patient care American Red Cross is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
The American Red Cross is an accredited provider of continuing education by the Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education.
For additional information on receiving healthcare continuing education credit go to CLOUD CME: https://redcross.cloud-cme.com/content/ceinfo
St. Lucy's Day
St. Lucy's Day is a Christian feast day observed on December 13th. It commemorates Lucia of Syracuse, an early-fourth-century virgin martyr.
The day is particularly celebrated in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway, and Finland. It's known as a festival of light, with processions of young girls dressed in white and wearing candle-lit wreaths on their heads.
Advent Fast
Join us in preparing for Christmas with a contemplative but joyful Advent Fast. Starting today and in communion with others, we will follow guidelines set for ourselves on Wednesdays and Fridays until St. Lucy’s Day on the 13th. At that time, participants will have the option to intensify their respective practices as it advances their well being. This fast continues through the night of the 23rd and should end, or be subject to modification after personal reflection, on January 1st. Throughout and after, we will celebrate both the work and its closure with all due ceremony and fanfare.
NAFA Falconry Field Meet
Learn about falconry with the North American Falconer’s Association. It’s ancient, brings us closer to nature, and sounds rad. Event page here.
Mosaic Making Workshop
Father of the Faith Trina (who also made us a video tutorial on harvesting wild yeast) is holding an in-person mosaic workshop in Corydon, Indiana. Get more details on the event’s Facebook page, tickets are available on Event Bright.
Starts 11 AM Central / 12 PM Eastern.
Coptic Nativity Fast begins
The Coptic Nativity Fast, also called Advent Fast, calls for 40 days of abstinence from animal products leading up to Christmas, which is celebrated on January 7th. The fast permits seafood for all but the final three days during which the fast intensifies through a period called paramone or paramun, a term that includes the nightlong vigils held in anticipation of the nativity.
November's Full Moon
In the Ohio River Valley, November’s full moon could be called the Trading Moon, Frost Moon, or Long Moon.
Mushroom Foraging Workshop
Appalachian Forager (who is much loved by but unaffiliated with this church) is holding an in-person Mushroomin’ 101 Workshop in McKee, KY.
Longlegs Virtual Watch Party
Join us for a virtual match party! We’ll be live chatting and comparing snacks during this free matinee screening of the 2024 horror movie Longlegs. We will share the link in the Bright Orthodoxy Facebook Group; please feel free to drop in late or leave early, we want you there.
Fall Beekeeping Conference
The Kentucky State Beekeeper’s Association meets on Saturday the 9th for their fall conference. The event is free for KSBA and CKHP members, registration is appreciated but not required.
Pass It On Series - Woodworking
Woodworking is a longstanding tradition among Appalachian crafters. Join Curtis as you design, cut, sand, and oil your very own cutting board. This workshop is limited to ages 8+, register at the Pine Mountain Settlement School website.
Beginner Vinyasa "Flow" with Logan
Join Father of the Faith Logan for beginner Vinyasa yoga at Hue Studio in Cincinnati.
From their website—
This class is an introduction to a "flow" based yoga class. Also referred to as "vinyasa," a "flow" style class will incorporate standing and seated postures that flow from one pose to the next. In this beginner style of teaching, extra time may be spent to break down the transitions of moving into each pose. If you have been wanting to get into yoga, or add a different style besides a Slow Flow class, this is a great place to start!
Schedule at the Hue Yoga Studio’s website.
Purina Microbiome Virtual Event
Animals have been a constant in the human experience. Learning about their needs and how best to care for them brings us closer to the mindset of those in the early church and before, back to prehistory. Register for the Purina microbiome event on their webpage.
Beginner Vinyasa "Flow" with Logan
Join Father of the Faith Logan for beginner Vinyasa yoga at Hue Studio in Cincinnati.
From their website—
This class is an introduction to a "flow" based yoga class. Also referred to as "vinyasa," a "flow" style class will incorporate standing and seated postures that flow from one pose to the next. In this beginner style of teaching, extra time may be spent to break down the transitions of moving into each pose. If you have been wanting to get into yoga, or add a different style besides a Slow Flow class, this is a great place to start!
Schedule at the Hue Yoga Studio’s website.
Battletown Witch Festival
The Battletown Witch Festival honors Leah, a soul gone ahead too soon, with a day spent immersed in folklore, herbalism, native healing techniques, and Kentucky spiritualism. Sounds like what we’re about.
Fall Arts Weekend
Appalachian Forager is putting on a workshop at Pine Mountain School’s Fall Art Weekend. There will also be workshops for blacksmithing, broom making, and basket making.